Here are the most important news items that investors need to start their trading day.
1. Stocks point to higher open
Stock futures rose in premarket trading as investors digested the latest round of bank earnings. Markets are looking to bounce back after the major indexes finished down Thursday despite a late rally. Traders remain wary of the coming wave of earnings reports, however, as consumers continue to spend big and hiring remains strong despite surging prices. Investors will also be watching for the June retail sales report, due at 8:30 a.m. ET and preliminary data for consumer sentiment in July at 10 a.m.
2. Wells Fargo and Citigroup report earnings
Another day, another set of big bank earnings. On Friday, Wells Fargo, echoing its bigger rival JPMorgan Chase, said its profit took a hit in the second quarter as it set aside more money to soften the blow from bad loans. The bank’s revenue came in below analysts’ expectations, as well. Wells Fargo shares slipped slightly in premarket trading. Citigroup is set to report later Friday morning. Bank of America and Goldman Sachs are on deck to report before the bell Monday.
3. China GDP underwhelms
China’s GDP growth in the second quarter grew only slightly compared to the year-ago period, reflecting the country’s ongoing struggles with lockdowns intended to limit the spread of Covid-19. GDP rose 0.4%, below analysts’ estimates of 1%. Industrial production growth in China for June also missed expectations, but retail sales grew. The country’s statistics bureau warned that the Chinese economy could suffer from the “risk of stagflation in the world economy.”
4. Pinterest shares soar after report of Elliott stake
Pinterest‘s stock surged in off-hours trading after The Wall Street Journal reported that activist Elliott Management had taken a stake of more than 9% in the social media company. Shares of Pinterest had fallen 75% over the past 12 months as its global monthly active users has fallen. This week’s news comes after a shakeup last month at the top of Pinterest, when co-founder Ben Silbermann stepped down as CEO and was replaced by former Google commerce executive Bill Ready.
5. Manchin rejects Dems’ tax, climate proposals
Sen. Joe Manchin, the conservative Democrat from West Virginia, dealt a crippling blow to his party’s latest bid to pass a legislative package including long-negotiated climate policies and provisions aimed at closing tax loopholes for the wealthy and corporations, according to NBC News. Democrats hold a narrow majority in the 50-50 Senate, by virtue of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had been in negotiations with Manchin on a package that would also prevent large insurance premium hikes under Obamacare before a September deadline. As things stand now, Manchin would only support a bill with the health care provisions. Democrats are at risk of losing their congressional majorities during this fall’s midterm elections as voters grow frustrated with sky-high inflation.
– CNBC’s Sarah Min, Hugh Son, Evelyn Cheng and Jonathan Vanian contributed to this report.
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